UM System president appoints chief engagement officer to lead statewide outreach

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri officials announced today that Marshall Stewart, vice chancellor for extension and engagement at the University of Missouri-Columbia, will also serve as chief engagement officer for the UM System. As chief engagement officer, Stewart will work with university leaders at all four campuses to develop a systemwide plan for engagement and outreach

“Marshall Stewart has served as an extraordinary ambassador for MU Extension and Engagement, bringing together diverse stakeholders throughout the state,” UM System President Mun Choi said. “In this additional role, Marshall will leverage extension to support important outreach activities at all four of our campuses. This will enable our entire university system to better serve the needs of Missourians.”

Earlier this month, MU Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright announced a new vision for MU Extension and Engagement to fulfill what he referred to as an “all things Missouri” mission. In late 2016 and early 2017, MU Extension gathered input from more than 1,000 Missourians on key challenges facing their communities. Out of these conversations, three ‘grand challenges’ emerged as focal points for MU’s extension and engagement efforts: economic opportunity, health, and educational access and excellence.

“I am honored to lead these efforts at the system level, allowing us to tap into the talent on all four of our campuses to address those needs and concerns while increasing the university’s value to the people of Missouri,” said Stewart, who joined the university in August 2016. “The struggles facing Missouri communities are challenges that we are ready to tackle.”

Last year, engagement efforts served 1.3 million Missourians, including a $200 million increase in sales for Missouri businesses and the creation or retention of 8,000 jobs. Current initiatives connecting the university to the state include:

Boosting Missouri’s economy through direct and indirect investment. Last month, university officials announced that the University of Missouri System has a $5.4 billion impact on the state of Missouri.

Building strong youth and families through after-school youth leadership programs such as the Community Arts Program and the 4-H Center for Youth Development

Promoting health and safety, including a range of training programs for Missouri’s civil servants such as the Law Enforcement Training Institute

Supporting agriculture as part of a $6.6 million research initiative to promote soil health through cover crops

Helping businesses succeed through community development programs and supporting leadership development, decision-making and emergency preparedness.

“Marshall has demonstrated a great commitment to Mizzou and the people of Missouri through his work to understand the needs and concerns of citizens across the state,” Cartwright said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the University of Missouri System campuses in Kansas City, St. Louis and Rolla to further extend our outreach and engagement efforts.”